Shock-absorber.



R. G. CLARK." snock ABSORBER.

APPLICATION HLED JUNE I. \QIL Patented Jan. 14,1919.

UNITED sTA'rns PATENT oFFioE.

ROBERT G. CLARK. F BROOKLYN. NEW YORK.

SHOCK-.ABSGBBER.

Application filed June 1.1917.

To I! II/lulu it only con ern..-

lle it known that 1. Roman (l. CLARK. t citizen of thc l'nitcd Slides. and a resilcnt of the horougrh of Brooklyn. in the county of Kings. city and State of New York. have invented certain new and uset'ul Improvements in Shock-Absorbers. of which the following is a spcciticatirm.

This invention relates to devices to absorb the shocks transmitted from the Wheels of a vehicle to the vehicle body through the -iprinp; suspension in driving over unevem road surfaces and encounteringobstructions. ind it is the object of the invention to proride a device of this character in which the shocks are ahsorhcd and the retractilc or rebounding movements of the spring or iprings of the suspension retarded through ;lie medium of a. fluid. and to provide a de vice which is simple and cheap in construc Jim and eflicient in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shock absorber which is adjustable to readily adapt it to various forms of spring nispcnsions and vehicles.

In the drawing: accompanying and fortn- .ng a part of this specification l igure l. is l. sectional plan view of a shock absorher For the spring suspension of vehicles showng an embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation taken in the line 22 of Fig. 1 looking in the di- "ection of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional \ien' 'filitlt on thc line 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 a side elevation of the shoclt ahorhcr showing the manner of applying the same to the frame and axle of a vehicle; ind

Fig. 5 is a sectional side elevation on a "educcd scale showing the positions of the warts in full lines during the contracting ind retractile action of the spring or springs ir the suspension of a vehicle, and in dotted incs the positions certain parts will assume :0 permit of the quick movement of the laid in the casing when the vehicle spring subjected to a sudden shock.

Similar characters of reference designate ike parts throughout the different. views of be drawing.

The embodiment of my invention shown it the drawing comprises a cylindrical casing 6 having an opening at. one side to he rlosed by a cover 7 rcmovahly secured to the raising by bolts 8, the casing being adapted Specification of Lettsbrs Patent.

Patented Jun. 14,1919.

Serial No 172139.

to carry a fluid or liquid as shown in Fig. '2. A piston comprising diainctricall oppositclv cxtending: wing: pistons is supported to oscillate in the ca in; by a trunnion or hub 10 projecting axially therefrom and rotatably engaging in an opening in a lJOS 11 of the casing and having the projecting: end 12 squared. The ca ing has a adially extending arm 13 whereby the casing is pivotallv supported. as at 14. by an axle 16 through the connection of a suspension spring 1.? thereto. Secured to the squared cm] 12 of the piston trunnion 10 is an arm 17 to pivotally connect the piston. as at 18. to another part of the vehicle. such as the frame of the vehicle.

The pistons 9 extend to the circular walls of the casing and are shaped to conform to the tfl rfi sectional form of the casing thcrehy separating the casing into dist-on nc ted chambers as clearly shown in Fig. 1!. Resilient inenihers 19. 20 are carried at opposite sides of the pistons and are lllfifillllti thcrciv'iih. These rc ilicnt members are in the form of outwardly honed springs with the free ends bent to lie contiguous to the sides of the pistons and engage in recesses in the pistons adjacent the piston huh. as shown at 21 and 22. Figs. '2 and 5. The springs 19 and 20 have flattcncd portions 211. 94 which in the normal po ition of the pi tons are adjacent to but spaced from ahntnicnts Q3. 26 projecting from the cover into the casing to extend transversely there of. the side Walls of the abutments preterahlv converging inwardly as shown. The springs cotiperate with the abutments to di \idc or separate the chambers at opposite sides oi the pis into lfilPICOnllllll[\l(1lt inc" chambers. the space between the ahutmtltiH and the sprii gs a tt'ording a communication hetween such chambers.

It will he obvious that when the cover is secured in place the casing will be filled with a. fluid and he fluid tight. and to provide a. fluid tight joint between the piston trunnion 10 and its hearing in the casing boss 11 without the use of a stufling box or the like a spring" 28 is provided to yielding urge the piston in a direction toward the piston trunnion, this spring being seated in a recess in an inwardly extending lug 29 on the cover. said lug engaging in a recess of the hub of the pistons and also serving to rotatahly support the pistons.

The operation is substantially as follows,

assuming the device is secured to a vehicle frame and axle as shown in Fig. 4 with the parts in osition as shown in Fig. 2. As the vehic e is driven over a substantially even roadway and slight vibrations or shocks transmitted from the wheel axle to the body through the spring suspension and a slight movement imparted to the arms 13, ii relative to and away from each other the fluid in the casing at opposite sides of the pistons will be caused to gradually and freely move or flow to and fro between the chambers provided by the abutments and bowed spring members through the pressure upon said abutments andvspring members of the fluid through thennovement of the pistons which are imparted to the latter through the arms 13, 17 by the vehicle springs, the mobility of the fluid or liquid and the pressure thereof on the spring members causing the latter in conjunction with the vehicle springs to absorb an such slight vibrations or shocks. Should a sudden shock be imparted to a vehicle wheel and thereby a sudden contracting or retracting movement of the vehicle springs, as by the vehicle wheel running into a. depression or encountering an obstruction, the sudden impact or pressure of the pistons on the fluid will cause the spring members to be flexed, substantially as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5, it being assumed that the vehicle spring or springs are having a retractile movement due to a wheel running into a depression and the axle having a movement away from the vehicle body and thereby the arms 13, 17 spread apart or moved'awuy from each other. During the initial movement of the pistons the spring members will tend to resist the movement thereof through the fluid and thereby react against the action of the vehicle spring or springs, but the sudden impact of the fluid against the spring members and the pressure of the pistons against the fluid will flex the same thereby increasing the communicating area between the spring members and abutments and thereby permit the ready flow of the fluid from one chamber to the other. After the shock has been transmitted from the wheel axle to the vehicle body, or the suspension springs have reached the limit of their retra ile movement or rebound (as shown in g. 5) a curved portion of the spring members between the connection of said members with the pistons and the flattened portion will engage with the abutmcnts shutting off communication between the respective chambers and preventing the reverse flow of the fluid from one chamisr to another, the spring members tending to resist or retard the sudden retractile movement of the vehicle springs until such time as the retractile power or force of the vehicle springs through the pressure of the pistons on the fluid will overcome the in herent tension of the spring members 19, 20 and flex the latter to permit of the flow of the fluid from the chambers at one side of said spring members to the chambers at the opposite sides thereof. and as the rctractilo force or power of the vehicle springs diminishes as said springs approach their normal positions this return movement of the vehicle springs will be gradual until the pis tons again assume the positions shown in Fig. 2 with the free but restricted passage of the fluid between the chambers at oppo' site sides of the abutments and spring members 19. 20.

It will be readily understood that the function of absorbing shocks depends upon the resiliency of the spring members 19, 20 and the action of said members to resist the pressure of the fluid thereon through the pistons, and that the inherent tension of these spring members must be varied in accordance with the weight of the vehicle in connection with which the shock absorber is used.

The abutments and pistons are so arranged that they will be substantially at right angles to each other in the normal compression position of the vehicle springs. To adjust the shock absorber to adapt it to various kinds of vehicles and to the normal compression position for the springs of the suspension. such for instance as to move the casing supporting arm 13 and the piston arm 17 closer together and still maintain the ahutments and pistons substantially at right angles in the normal compression position of the vehicle springs the cover is moved so that the abutment at the top will be moved to the right and the abutment at the bot tom to the left from the positions shown in Fig. 2 a distance equivalent to the space between two bolt securing openings in the (asing. Should it be necessary to spread the arms from the position shown in Fig. 2 to accommodate the device to the normal compression position of the vehicle springs the cover is adjusted so that the abutment at the top is moved to the left and the abut ment at the bottom to the right from the positions as shown in said Fig. 2.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. The combination with the spring suspension of a vehicle to movably connect parts of a vehicle to have movement relative to and away from each other, of a fluid containing casing connected to one of aidparts at a point eccentric to the axis of the casing; a piston rotatable in the casing connected at a point eccentric to the axis of the piston and casing to the other of said movable parts of the vehicle; an abutment in the casing; and a resilient member movable with the piston and cotiperating with the casing abutment to divide the casing into communicating chambers, 'said resilient member beng operable to regulate the communicatmg area between the chambers in accordance with the pressure of the piston on the fluid in the casing.

2. In a vehicle the combination with a spring to suspend the vehicle body from the axle, of a fluid containing casing; a piston t oscillate in the casing; means to connect either the casing or the piston to the axle and the other to the vehicle body; an abutmentin the casing' undresilient means carried by and rotatable with the piston coopcrating with the abutment to divide the cas mg into communicating chambers and varrymg the areas of the chambers and adapted to regulate the communicatin area between the chambers to retard and aisorb the contracting and retractile movements of the suspension spring by the pressure of the fluid throu h the movements of the piston.

3 n a vehicle the combination with the spring suspension thereof, of a fluid containmg easing; a piston to oscillate in said casmg; means to connect said casing and piston to diifercnt parts of the vehicle having movement relative to and away from each other through the action of the spring suscot'iperating with the abutment t permit the flow of fluid from one to the opposite side of the piston in the casin during the movement of the piston and casing to retard the contracting and retractile movements of the sprin s of the suspension for the purpose speci ed. a s

4 In a vehicle the combination with the spring suspension thereof, of a fluid containing casing; a piston to oscillate in said casing; means to connect said casing and piston to difi'crent parts of the vehicle having movement relative to and erable to regulate t in accordance with the on the fluid in the easmg to retard the contracting and retractile of springs of the suspension for the purpose specified.

shdck absorber for the sprin suspension of a vehicle, comprising a flui carrying casing; a wing piston to oscillate in the casing; an abutment in the casing extending thereinto from the outer wall; a resilient member carried by 213d movable with the piston to lie contiguou operate with the inner end of the abutment to se arate the casmg into communicating and adapted-to regulate the communicating area between the chambers by the pressure of the fluid through the movements of the piston for the pur ose specified.

6. A shock absor )er for the spring suspen sion of a vehicle, comprising a fluid carrying casing; a wing piston to oscillate in the easing; an abutment in the casing extending inward from the outer wall; a wed resilient member carried by and movable with the piston coiiperating'with the inner end of the abutment to divide the same into communicating chambers. substantially as and for the urpose specified.

. Ashock absorber for the spring susarm to support the same; a wing piston pivotally supported in the casing; a radially extending arm connected co-axially to the piston: said casingand piston adapted to tions; the outer wall of the casing; and a resilient member carried at the side of the piston to cooperate'with the abutment to separate the easing into communicating chambers.

8. A shock absorber for the spring suspension of a vehicle comprising a fluid carrying casing having a radially extending arm; diametrically oppositely extending Wing pistons pivotally supported in the easing; an arm connected co-axially to the p1stons; diametrically opposite abutments in the casing: outwardly bowed springs can at opposite sides of the piston coiiperating with the abutments to separate the ('asing at opposite sides of the pistons into communicating chambers. substantially' as and for the purpose specified.

9. A shock absorber for the spring suspension of a vehicle, comprising a fluid carrying casing; a wing piston to oscillate in the cusingz-an abutment in the casing; extending inward from the outer wall and an outwardly bowed spring carried by and morable with-the piston having a flat portion normally adjacent the inner end of the abutment to separate the easing into communicating chambers.

10. A shock absorl'icr for the spring sus pension of a vehicle. comprising a fluid can rying casing: 21 win; piston to oscillate ill 1 e casing. an abutment in the casing: cxtending inward from the outer wall and an UlltWtllfllV bowed spring member carried by and movable with t e piston. said member aving a flat portion normally adjacent to shut off communication between the chambers as the piston moves and adapted to lie flexed by the pressure of the fluid through the movement of the piston by the action of the spring suspension to open and control the communication llt'i\\'('(ll the chambers.

11. A slim-k absorber for the spring suspension of a vehicle. romprising a (laid carrying rasingz: a wing: piston to oscillate, in the casing; diamel li 'iilll opposit abutment in the casing: outwardly bowed spring members carried at opposite sides of and movable with the pistons. said nn-mhers having a Hat portion normall v oppositito but spaced from the abutments to separate the easing at opposite sides of the pistons into communicating chambers. said springs being arranged to have a curved portion engage the abutments when the pistons move to shut oil communication bet ween the respective chaur hers and adapted to be flexed to open rommuniratiou between the chambers and regulate the communicating area between the rhan'ibers in acrordance with the pressure of the pistons on the lluid through the action of the spring suspension,

124 A shock absorber for the spring sus pension of a vehicle comprising a casing open at one side: a cover to be removal'ilv sl-rured to the open side to provide a (laid tight rasing. said cover having diametrically opposite projections to extend into the easing to provide abutments therein; diametrically opposite wing pistons rotatahly sup ported in the casing; and bowed spring members carried at opposite sides of the pistons to cooperate with the abutments. substantially as and for the purpose specified.

18. A shock absorber for the spring suspension of a vehicle, comprising a casing open at one side and having aradially extending arm and an axial opening in the wall opposite to the open end a cover adapted to be adjustably connected to the 0 en side of the casing to provide a fluid tight casing, said cover having diametrically opposite projections to extend into the casing to provide abutments therein and an axially extending recessed lug; diametrically opposite wingpistons having an" axially ex tending trunnion to rotatably engage in the opening in the side wall of the casing, and

an axial recess in the opposite side for llaen zagrmcnt of the cover lug: to roiai-al|l support the piston in the casing: an arm secured to the piston trunnion: aspriug seated in the re ess in the cover hug; and a pair of bowed sprin; members rarried at opposite sidesof the pistons substaut'rall.) as and for the purpose specified.

it A shock absorber for the spring slv pension of a vehirle, comprising a lluid rarryiug casing adapted to he pivotally (unneeted to a part of the vehirlr'. an abutment in the casing; a piston to oscillate in the rasing pivotally connected to another part of the vehirle; and a yielding member in the casing: arranged to cooperate with the abutment to normally separate the easing: into interron'ununicating chambers. and o p erablc to shut off or retard the movement 0' the fluid from one chamber to the other during the movement of the piston.

1:"). In a shock absorber for the spring sus pension of a vehicle of the class specified. comprising a rasin having an opening at one side and a radially extending arm to pivotally support the casing bv a part of the vehicle: diametrically oppositely extend iug wing pistons having an axially projecting trunnion to extend through an axial opening in the casing; an arm secured to the piston projecting from the casing to pivotally support the piston by a part of the vehiclc; a cover for the open side of the casing: having projections to extend into the casing to provide abutments in the casing extending from the outer Wall of the casing. said cover adapted to be secured to the casing with the abutments in different positions in the casing relative to the pistons; and bowed spring members at opposite sides and movable with the piston cooperating with the abutments to separate the casing at opposite sides of the piston into communicating chambers and to operate during the move: ment of the iston to retard the movement of the fluid rom one chamber to the other.

Signed at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York this 31st day of May, 1917.

ROBERT G. CLARK.

is hereby certified thetinv Letters Patent No. 1,290,912, granted January 14 IQQQ, upon the application oi Rolm't Clark, of Brooklyn, New York, for an imorovernent in Shook-Aheorbera, errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 3, line 88, claim 7, for the word "and read an, seine page lines 109 and 119, claims 9 and 10, after the word casing" strike out the semicolon; same page and claims, lines 1 10 and 120, after the word wall insert a semicolon; and that the eai'd Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiicea Signed and sealed this 11th day of March, A. D., 1919.

R. F. WHI TEHEAD,

Acting Commisn'cmer of Patents.

' [SEAL] 

